Learning Objective #1: Conclude what quality care at the end-of-life should entail

Learning Objective #2: Identify the possible measures that could improve the quality of end-of-life care

---

Purpose: Patients and family members are still dissatisfied with end-of-life care. Expansion of hospice and palliative care, implementing Advance Directives, enhancing end-of-life decision-making through education programs have made some improvement for those who are cared for in the hospice setting. However, less than 16% of Medicare recipients received hospice care before death, and the average hospice stay before death is less than 34 days. Studies have attempted to explore patients and family members' perspectives on quality end of life, however, perspectives on ways that could ensure the quality of end-of-life care have not yet explored. The purpose of this study is to explore patients and family members' perspectives on quality end-of-life care and ways to improve care. Methods: A qualitative method will be used for this study. Interviews will be conducted with 10 dyads (patients and their caregivers) respectively. The interview question is what quality end-of-life care should be and how to ensure this quality care at the end of life. Constant comparative analysis developed by Glaser and Corbin will be used for the initial coding process. Themes on quality care at the end of life and ways to ensure the quality of end-of-life care will be extracted. Findings (study is still in progress): To date, 3 dyads have been interviewed. Preliminary findings suggested that symptom management, family support, financial issues, spiritual values, and personal values have been cited as important to the quality care at the end of life. An informational interactive Website to guide individuals to solve their most concerned problems may be one way to improve end-of-life care. Discussion: End-of-life care should be focused on solving each individual's most concerned problems and the support system should be comprehensive enough to accommodate patients and families' needs.